Exhibits Displays Community Information Areas Policy

The Brumback Library supports its mission of inspiring learning, sparking curiosity, and fostering a love of reading by offering community information areas and by occasionally hosting exhibits or displays.

The library uses its spaces primarily to promote library materials, programs, and services. When the library does not need the space for library purposes, it may, at its discretion, make space available to schools and community organizations within Van Wert County for exhibit or display of community information that serves educational, cultural, civic, or recreational purposes.

The library’s provision of exhibit or display space does not constitute endorsement of any organization or viewpoint.

Exhibit/Display General Principles

• Library needs always take precedence over external displays.
• Exhibits should promote educational, cultural, artistic, historical, or recreational interests relevant to Van Wert County residents.
• The library does not permit displays of primarily commercial or political content.
• The library does not permit materials intended for sale, business solicitation, or profit-making purposes.
• The library prohibits pricing information and sales referrals.

The Library Director or designee makes final decisions regarding the approval, content, arrangement, scheduling, and duration of all exhibits and displays and may review sample materials before granting approval.

Exhibit/Display Selection Criteria

The Library Director or designee evaluates exhibits using criteria that may include:

• Connections to library collections, programs, or events.
• Connections to Van Wert community events.
• Strong local interest for Van Wert County residents.
• Educational, cultural, historical, regional, or artistic significance within Van Wert County.
• Suitability for the intended audience and appropriateness for a public space.
• Ease of installation and compatibility with facility capabilities.
• Support for children’s and community cultural activities.

Display Preference

When scheduling exhibits and displays, preference is given in the following order:

1. Recognized community groups within Van Wert County that have previously displayed at Brumback Library.
2. Other recognized community groups and schools within Van Wert County, including but not limited to: Crestview Local Schools, Evergreen Garden Club, Lincolnview Local Schools, Main Street Van Wert, Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation, Van Wert City Schools, Van Wert County 4-H, Van Wert County Agricultural Society, Van Wert County Council on Aging, Van Wert County Foundation, Van Wert County Historical Society, Vantage Career Center, Wassenberg Art Center of Van Wert, Wee Care Daycare Center, YMCA of Van Wert, and YWCA of Van Wert.

Scheduling and Applications

• Organizations must submit requests in writing to the Library Director.
• The Library Director or designee must approve all requests.
• The library may schedule requests in advance based on space availability.
• Exhibits may last from one week to one month unless otherwise approved.
• The library may schedule library-generated or touring exhibits as appropriate.

Responsibilities and Liability

• Exhibitors handle the set-up, take-down, and monitoring of their materials.
• Exhibitors place all items on display at their own risk.
• The library does not assume responsibility for damage, loss, or theft of exhibited items.

Promotion

The library must approve all publicity, press releases, and promotional materials related to exhibits within its space.

Community Information Areas – General Principles

Bulletin boards and community information stands provide space for sharing information about community services, programs, and events that the public can attend and that serve civic, cultural, educational, or recreational interests.

Because space is limited, acceptance of materials does not guarantee display at all library locations.

Posting and Distribution Priority

The library prioritizes postings in the following order:

1. Events co-sponsored by the library.
2. City-wide or county-wide community information.

Preference is given to organizations and events located in or serving Van Wert County.

Guidelines

• Posting does not imply endorsement by the library or Board of Trustees.
• Materials must be clearly typed or neatly handwritten.
• Library staff must initial and date all notices before posting.
• Notices must include contact information.
• Only designated staff or the original requester may remove posted items.
• Staff will remove and discard unauthorized postings.
• The library may reject oversized materials due to space limitations.
• When space becomes crowded, staff may remove older materials to allow new postings.
• Event or service notices may not exceed 8½ × 11 inches.
• Organizations may post only one notice per event.
• Staff will remove notices after one month or after the event/registration date passes, whichever comes first.
• The library may remove materials it deems unsuitable.

Prohibited Materials

• Materials that promote or oppose political candidates, campaigns, or ballot measures (except neutral election information from recognized nonpartisan sources).
• Petitions.
• Materials that promote alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco products.
• Commercial advertising or for-profit solicitations.
• Materials that violate local, state, or federal law.

Policy Administration and Review

The Library Director administers this policy under the authority of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees may:

• Amend this policy as needed.
• Rule on situations not specifically addressed.